By: Madalyn Borek '19
Denim Day, a campaign against erroneous and destructive attitudes about sexual assault, will be observed by the campus community on Wednesday, April 27 during common lunch starting in front of Reamer Campus Center.
The campaign was originally triggered by a ruling by the Italian Supreme Court where a rape conviction was overturned because the justices felt that since the victim was wearing tight jeans she must have helped her rapist remove her jeans, thereby implying consent. The following day, the women in the Italian Parliament came to work wearing jeans in solidarity with the victim. Peace Over Violence developed the Denim Day campaign in response to this case and the activism surrounding it.
The campus community is asked to make a social statement by wearing jeans on Wednesday as a visible means of protest against the misconceptions that surround sexual assault. The event will start by meeting outside of Reamer with posters, denim bracelets and buttons. Participants will then go to the Nott Memorial for speakers, a rally and lunch for the remainder of the time.
For more information, contact Gillian Singer at singerg@union.edu.